'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson on anti-gay comments: "I will not give or back off from my path"

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 12/23/2013

Phil Robertson is refusing to take back any of his anti-gay comments despite public outrage and A&E's decision to suspend the reality TV star from Duck Dynasty.

ADVERTISEMENT

"I will not give or back off from my path because you conquered death, Father, so we are not worried about all the repercussions... I love all men and women. I am a lover of humanity, not a hater... I didn't think much of it at all, but it seems a lot of other people did," Robertson said while leading a small Bible study at church in his hometown of West Monroe, LA on Sunday, according to the Daily Mail.

"If you're a man, find yourself a woman, marry them and keep your sex right there... Commonsense says we are not going to procreate the human race unless we have a man and a woman. From the beginning Jesus said, 'It is a man and a woman.' Adam was made and Eve was made for this reason. They left their fathers and mothers and be united to become one flesh, that's what marriage is all about."

A&E suspended Robertson, a 67-year-old bearded reality TV star and devout Christian, indefinitely from Duck Dynasty due to the anti-gay comments he had made in a recent interview with GQ magazine. The network claimed to be "extremely disappointed" to have read about his personal views, which "in no way reflect those of A&E Networks."

Robertson had told GQ he feels what's right and wrong has become blurred in society and homosexuality is on the same level as terrorism, alcoholism and bestiality. He said he "never, ever" passes judgement on such people but God will eventually sort out the "homosexuals, drunks and terrorists."

During the Bible session, Robertson also quoted the religious book to further express his opinions.

"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious. Sexual immorality, is number one on the list. How many ways can we sin sexually? My goodness. You open up that can of worms and people will be mad at you over it," Robertson explained, the Daily Mail reported.

"I am just reading what was written over 2000 years ago. Those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom. All I did was quote from the scriptures, but they just didn't know it. Whether I said it, or they read it, what's the difference? The sins are the same, humans haven't changed. If you give them the bad news, they'll start kicking and screaming."

Robertson continued, "We are a bunch of rednecks from Louisiana, but I am not uneducated, I have a degree from Louisiana Tech. But this week I have been called an ignoramus. This week I have been asked, 'Is this the first time you have brought up sin?' I said, 'Are you kidding? I have been traveling to and fro spreading this message.'"

Robertson reportedly insisted the "center" of all his speeches has been "Jesus Christ." His family has made it clear they fully support him. The clan said in an official statement they're "disappointed" Robertson has been placed on hiatus "for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right."

"We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm. We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of Duck Dynasty."

Duck Dynasty will return to A&E with new episodes in January. Robertson will reportedly appear in the upcoming episodes but will not be able to film any new episodes for an unspecified amount of time.